Arrests after cyclist dies

TWO people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a cyclist died in hospital more than a fortnight after being knocked off his bicycle in Oxford.

Eamonn Anderson, 56, of Salter Close, Oxford, was kicked off his bike in High Street between 11.30pm and 11.45pm on Tuesday, October 25.

He was approached by a group of men, one of whom kicked him, causing him to fall off his bicycle.

The group then left the scene and witnesses contacted the emergency services. Mr Anderson sustained serious head injuries and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital,but died there on Friday evening.

An 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy from Oxford were arrested yesterday (Wednesday) morning on suspicion of murder. They are in police custody.

Senior investigating officer DetectiveChief Inspector Mike Lynch, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “We believe this to have been an isolated incident, and since it occurred, we have been in the process of conducting a thorough investigation into it in order to establish the circumstances and also to arrest those responsible.

“I would like to appeal for anyone who has any information about this assault, to contact us on 101. If you were in this group and have information, please speak to officers.

“Similarly, I would like to appeal for anyone who might have any footage of the incident to contact us.”

A Home Office post-mortem examination was carried out on Saturday.

Mr Anderson, who died two-and-a-half weeks after the city centre attack, spent 24 years in prison for armed robberies and firearms offences.

The former college cleaner stole an 18-carat gold friendship ring belonging to playwright Oscar Wilde and two medals worth a total of £37,000 in 2002, selling them to a scrap dealer for £150.

He grew up in Brixton, South London, and spent eight years in prison in the 1980s for his part in nine bank robberies and firearms offences.